Retired Lt. Gen. Chae Myung-shin, the first commander of the Republic of Korea Forces in Vietnam, died of a chronic illness at the age of 87, Monday. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Chae commanded Korean troops in the Vietnam War from 1965 till 1969. He survived a helicopter crash before returning to Korea.

He was born to an anti-Japan activist father and a Christian mother in 1926. He graduated from the Korea Military Academy in 1949 and served as a second lieutenant in the 1950-53 Korean War. He led a special unit during the war.

He gained the reputation for his shrewd guerrilla tactics in the Vietnam War. He has been described as a war hero for his excellent achievements in battles.

He later participated in the May 16, 1961, military coup led by then two-star general Park Chung-hee, serving on the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction. The late Park asked Chae to join him in his political endeavors, but he rejected three times. During the two wars, Chae received a number of orders of merit for his service both from the Korean authorities and foreign governments.

But he was forced to retire as a lieutenant general as he reportedly opposed then President Park's plan to prolong his rule in 1972.

After retiring, he served as ambassador to Sweden, Greece and then Brazil. He was honorary president of the Vietnam War Veterans Association of Korea the first president of the Korea Taekwondo Association.

He was awarded the Taegeuk Order of Military Merit and the Hwarang Order of Military Merit, among other medals, in recognition of his military service.